The Premier League weekend witnessed a contentious moment that has sparked widespread discussion and debate.
PGMOL, the governing body for referees, took a surprising step by releasing the audio recording of the Liverpool versus Tottenham match.
This recording sheds light on the perplexing decision to rule out Luis Diaz’s first-half goal due to an alleged offside.
Upon listening to the audio, it becomes abundantly clear that an egregious error was made by the VAR team.
Sky Sports has shared the entire clip, highlighting the gravity of their mistake once it was realized.
While this revelation is unlikely to provide solace to Liverpool, it marks a significant turning point for English football.
Following the release of the audio, PGMOL issued a statement admitting fault, stating, “In a lapse of concentration and loss of focus in that moment, the VAR lost sight of the on-field decision, and he incorrectly ruled the goal offside.”
The shocking audio includes panicked comments like “That’s wrong that, Daz,” leaving PGMOL’s chief, Howard Webb, with no option but to initiate a comprehensive review of the goal-awarding process.
What is particularly damning is that the audio also captures calls to stop the match due to the apparent error.
However, the Laws of the Game dictate that once a decision has been made by the VAR, it cannot be reversed, even if it is evident that a mistake has occurred.
In a display of common sense, one might expect that a brief pause to rectify such an obvious error would be in order.
Yet, doing so would risk reprimanding and potentially banning the officials involved for “using their initiative.”
This highlights a clear need for reform in the way match officials handle critical decisions during matches.
The release of this audio has ignited a critical conversation about the current state of refereeing in English football.
It serves as a wake-up call for the footballing authorities to reassess the rules and regulations governing VAR and the decision-making process.
There is a palpable sense that there will be a “before and after” this incident, signaling the necessity for changes in the way the beautiful game is officiated in the country.
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